Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis or Impatiens pallida) is a common North American annual plant recognized for its translucent appearance. Its name comes from the way water droplets bead up on its leaves, making them glisten like silver jewels. It is also called “touch-me-not” because its ripe seed pods burst open explosively when touched. This plant has a long history in North American folk medicine, where Indigenous tribes utilized its sap as a traditional remedy for various skin ailments.
Identifying Jewelweed
Jewelweed is typically found in moist, shady habitats, such as along stream banks or in wetlands. It is identified by its succulent, brittle stems, which are pale green and appear water-filled. The plant grows two to five feet tall, producing light green, oval leaves. Its flowers appear from mid-summer until the first frost. Impatiens capensis displays bright orange or orange-yellow flowers speckled with reddish-brown spots and features a curved nectar spur, while Impatiens pallida produces a similar flower that is pale yellow.
Jewelweed’s Main Use: Relieving Contact Dermatitis
Jewelweed is primarily sought as a traditional topical treatment for contact dermatitis, especially rashes caused by urushiol. Urushiol is the oily resin in plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac that triggers an allergic reaction. Folk medicine suggests jewelweed grows near these irritants as a natural counter-agent. When exposure is suspected, the traditional method involves immediately crushing the fresh stems and leaves to release a clear sap applied directly to the exposed skin. The theory is that the sap either neutralizes the urushiol or mechanically binds to the oil, allowing it to be washed away before a rash develops.
Scientific Viewpoint and Traditional Methods
Scientific analysis has identified saponins in jewelweed, compounds that produce a soap-like foam when mixed with water. Saponins are believed to be the source of the plant’s efficacy by helping to emulsify and lift the oily urushiol from the skin’s surface. This mechanical removal is thought to be the mechanism of action, rather than chemical neutralization. Research findings are mixed, with some laboratory studies showing little difference between a jewelweed extract and distilled water in treating induced dermatitis. Proponents maintain that the immediate application of the fresh, viscous sap is necessary, as studies using extracts may not accurately reflect the traditional method.
Safety, Preparation, and Other Folk Uses
Jewelweed is generally considered safe for external application, though some individuals may experience a mild, localized allergic reaction. Internal consumption is not recommended due to limited safety data and the potential to cause digestive upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting. To preserve the plant for year-round use, people prepare shelf-stable applications when the plant is in season. Common preparations include blending the fresh stems and leaves with water to create a juice, which is then frozen into ice cubes for soothing relief. Another method is creating an infused oil or tincture by steeping the plant material in a carrier oil or alcohol for later use in salves or soaps.
Other Traditional Uses
Historically, jewelweed has also been documented for other traditional purposes, including use as a mild diuretic, a topical antifungal agent for conditions like athlete’s foot, and for creating a natural orange or yellow dye.